Stefanie Lachenauer, a civics and mindfulness teacher at Montgomery Upper Middle School, was named the 2024-25 New Jersey Department of Education Teacher of the Year on Monday.

Gov. Phil Murphy lauded Lachenauer as an educator “who cares for the whole student, from their academic growth to their emotional well-being.”

“In New Jersey, we have made it a priority to uplift our students academically, but we know supporting our children means more than ensuring they have access to a best-in-the-nation public education − it means giving them a strong foundation of social and emotional supports that will help them thrive throughout their lives,” Murphy said. “The lessons she has imparted to her students have set them up for lifelong success.”

For more than 18 years Lachenauer has been a guiding force in Montgomery Township schools, pioneering innovative curricula and courses, according to district officials, who said her work has fostered socially conscious learners and has positively affected the health and well-being of both students and staff.

“One of the driving forces in the strength of New Jersey’s public school system is the quality of our educator workforce, and Stefanie Lachenauer exemplifies the kind of success and innovation that we see occurring in schools throughout the state,” said Kevin Dehmer, acting commissioner of the state Department of Education. “When teachers like Stefanie make an impact on so many people, it serves as an inspiration to students and fellow educators. She is an outstanding example of the kind of positive change a great teacher can bring about.”

More:Here are Central Jersey’s 2024-25 County Teachers of the Year

Lachenauer’s programs, such as “Global Leadership,” “Skills for Success” and “Active Citizenship,” transcend traditional boundaries, fostering a generation of socially conscious learners. For instance, her “Skills for Success course,” which is personalized to each student, has integrated a brief mindfulness lesson in each class where students learn about neuroscience and how to self-regulate.

Beyond the classroom, Lachenauer serves as co-chair of her school’s Compassionate Care Team, District Wellness Champion, leading professional development for her colleagues on trauma-informed approaches for teaching and restorative practices for classroom management. She serves as the Title I Family Engagement Coordinator, and hundreds of students have learned stress-relief strategies in the Reflections Club that she created. Her advocacy has resulted in district-wide initiatives like Self-Care Days and mindfulness integration into the “Skills for Success” curriculum.

She became a certified yoga and mindfulness instructor and integrated her skills into courses, creating a full mindfulness curriculum that all students take at Montgomery Upper Middle School. She continues to organize the school’s Cougar CARE Days by providing students with healthy coping strategies and executive functioning skills.

“We know that middle school grades can be a critical time in students’ lives and their learning development, and Stefanie strives to not only educate, but to inspire and nurture the students in her school to carry the torch for mental health and wellness leadership,” said Kathy Goldenberg, president of the state Board of Education. “Moreover, her work also provides support to the emotional wellness of her contemporaries. The staff and students of the Montgomery Township School District are all extremely fortunate to have Stefanie on their team.”

Lachenauer’s own academic journey began at Rutgers University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology at Douglass College and later her master’s degree in elementary education with a specialization in middle school social studies from Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

“I was one of those kids who always knew that I was called to be a teacher,” Lachenauer said in her application, which described how she started an academic summer camp in her backyard at age 12. “As I traveled through middle school and high school, my passion for the type of educator I wanted to become grew. I continued to struggle with stress and often felt hindered by outside pressures to be social, academic, well rounded, and perfect. School was very difficult for me. I earned good grades, but many days were an internal struggle. I knew that I wanted to be the teacher who understands that students are more than their studies; the teacher who not only sees the strength, power, and magic in each student, but also makes them feel seen, valued, and connected.”

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter forMyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or@CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.